Wednesday 17 September 2014

Does the U.S. Visa Waiver Program Pose a Danger to National Security?

In the past couple of days, I have run across two opposing viewpoints in articles discussing the U.S. Visa Waiver Program:

U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, from my home state of Hawaii, says  "Americans are in great danger because many Europeans can visit for up to 90 days by registering online." She suggests "suspending British, French and German citizens from visa-free travel to the U.S. because of "large numbers" of Islamic extremists."  
http://news.yahoo.com/us-lawmaker-time-europeans-apply-visas-160553968.html

U.S. Representative Candice Miller is jumping on this bandwagon as well.  According to Rep. Miller, " With nearly 40-countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, terrorists with Western passports pose additional risks because many are eligible for visa-free travel to the U.S. In fact, she says, as many as twelve-thousand Jihadist militants currently fighting in Iraq and Syria hold Western passports."

On the other side of this debate is the Heritage Foundation, who produced a commentary on the successes and benefits of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows U.S. citizens reciprocal rights of entry into numerous countries.  The report is very informative and correct in its analysis.  

The bottom line is that the Visa Waiver Program is a valuable tool in international mobility and should be improved and expanded in the future.  For further information about U.S. Visas, visit us at:  http://nfmelbournelawyers.com.au/us-immigration.php

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